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Thanksgiving Pasta Salad

Thanksgiving Pasta Salad: Creamy, Colorful, and Comforting

Thanksgiving Pasta Salad is a vibrant dish that combines tri-colored rotini, smoky turkey, roasted butternut squash, and a creamy cranberry dressing, making it a perfect holiday side.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: PASTA
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 12 ounces Tri-Color Rotini Pasta Substitute with any pasta of choice.
  • 3 cups Frozen Butternut Squash Fresh butternut squash can be roasted instead.
  • 1 cup Shaved Brussels Sprouts Can substitute with spinach or arugula.
  • 3/4 cup Diced Red Onion Green onions can be a milder option.
  • 8 ounces Diced Turkey Breast Substitute with cooked chicken for a variation.
  • 6 ounces Dried Cranberries Apricots or raisins can be used as alternatives.
For the Creamy Dressing
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup Jellied Cranberry Sauce Use whole berry cranberry sauce for a chunkier texture.
  • 2 cups Mayonnaise Greek yogurt can be used for a lighter version.
  • 1/4 cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar Regular rice vinegar is a good substitute.
  • 1 tbsp Grainy Mustard Dijon mustard can be used as an alternative.
  • 1-2 tsp Celery Salt Adjust quantity if using regular salt.
  • 2-3 tsp Celery Seed Omit if unavailable; use fresh celery as a substitute.
  • 1/8 tsp Sage Adjust according to preference.
  • 1/2 tsp Poultry Seasoning Adjust according to preference.
  • pinch Black Pepper Freshly ground gives the best flavor.
For Roasting
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil Can replace with avocado oil.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • baking sheet
  • medium bowl
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

How to Make Thanksgiving Pasta Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tri-color rotini according to package directions. Drain well and let it cool to room temperature to avoid clumping.
  2. Thaw and drain the frozen butternut squash. Pat it dry and toss it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, celery salt, and black pepper. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, tossing occasionally until caramelized and slightly crispy. Allow it to cool completely.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the seasoned rice vinegar and jellied cranberry sauce until smooth. Add in the mayonnaise, grainy mustard, celery seed, sage, poultry seasoning, and adjust seasoning to your taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini, diced turkey, shaved Brussels sprouts, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and the cooled butternut squash. Gently toss to ensure even distribution.
  5. Gradually pour the creamy dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta and veggies are well-coated in the dressing. Adjust the amount of dressing as desired for your preferred creaminess.
  6. Cover the salad and let it sit in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours before serving. This helps the flavors meld beautifully and softens the Brussels sprouts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 6mg

Notes

Optional: Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or extra cranberries for a festive touch.

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